Hiddenite is the rare, emerald-green variety of the pyroxene mineral spodumene, colored by trace amounts of chromium. It typically occurs as elongated, striated prismatic crystals and is prized by collectors for its brilliant pleochroism and vibrant color.
Is this hiddenite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch hiddenite with a known reference. Hiddenite sits at Mohs 6.5-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hiddenite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hiddenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellowish-green, emerald-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Hiddenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside hiddenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hiddenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- LiAl(SiO₃)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6.5-7
- Density
- 3.1-3.2 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect in Two Directions
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Gemstone, Collector
- Host rock
- Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 per carat depending on color saturation and clarity
Where rockhounds find hiddenite
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Hiddenite, North Carolina, USA
- Nuristan, Afghanistan
- Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Madagascar
Field-hunting tip
Look in pegmatites country — that is the host setting where hiddenite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, beryl, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in North Carolina — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify hiddenite?+
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Can I find hiddenite in the United States?+
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Find hiddenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
